The Role of Women Within the Photographic Industry Up to 1939
Presentation Type
Presentation
Start Date
8-3-2025 2:40 PM
Description
Dr Michael Pritchard has a practical knowledge of studio and location photography, b/w darkroom processing and printing, and digital photography. He joined Christie’s, the fine art auction house, as a photography specialist in 1986 and grew auctions of cameras and photographic equipment and associated material, setting many world auction records. He was also an auctioneer, and became a Christie’s Director and International Business Director for collectibles across the company. In 2007 he became a consultant for Christie’s working on a new cataloguing and property control system.
He also undertook a PhD in history of photography between 2007 and 2010. His thesis examined photographic manufacturing and retailing from 1839-1914. He has taught history of photography at MA level at De Montfort University and catalogued and organised the Kodak Historical Collection at the British Library for public access.
Michael was recruited to the Royal Photographic Society (RPS) in 2011 as Chief Executive, becoming Director of Programmes from 2018-2023. During his tenure he brought a renewed public profile for the RPS and oversaw an expansion in its public activities, not least growing its membership to the largest in its history. The RPS moved in 2019 to a new building with public spaces that introduced an enhanced public exhibition, education and events programmes. During the pandemic the public programmes pivoted to online delivery, and subsequently to a hybrid model, to reach new audiences.
In 2024 he established his own consultancy. He continues to support the RPS.
Relational Format
Conference proceeding
Recommended Citation
Pritchard, Michael, "The Role of Women Within the Photographic Industry Up to 1939" (2025). Women of Photography: A 24-Hour Conference-a-thon Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025. 43.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/womenofphotography/2025/schedule/43
The Role of Women Within the Photographic Industry Up to 1939
Dr Michael Pritchard has a practical knowledge of studio and location photography, b/w darkroom processing and printing, and digital photography. He joined Christie’s, the fine art auction house, as a photography specialist in 1986 and grew auctions of cameras and photographic equipment and associated material, setting many world auction records. He was also an auctioneer, and became a Christie’s Director and International Business Director for collectibles across the company. In 2007 he became a consultant for Christie’s working on a new cataloguing and property control system.
He also undertook a PhD in history of photography between 2007 and 2010. His thesis examined photographic manufacturing and retailing from 1839-1914. He has taught history of photography at MA level at De Montfort University and catalogued and organised the Kodak Historical Collection at the British Library for public access.
Michael was recruited to the Royal Photographic Society (RPS) in 2011 as Chief Executive, becoming Director of Programmes from 2018-2023. During his tenure he brought a renewed public profile for the RPS and oversaw an expansion in its public activities, not least growing its membership to the largest in its history. The RPS moved in 2019 to a new building with public spaces that introduced an enhanced public exhibition, education and events programmes. During the pandemic the public programmes pivoted to online delivery, and subsequently to a hybrid model, to reach new audiences.
In 2024 he established his own consultancy. He continues to support the RPS.
Comments
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